Dean Aksu advocates for oral health and tobacco prevention at The Corner Ballpark.
At University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, promoting overall health and the health of our community health is central to our mission. Dean Mert N. Aksu joined city officials, public health leaders, and community advocates at The Corner Ballpark to support a powerful initiative: making Detroit’s professional sports venues tobacco-free.
Why it Matters:
Sports venues are more than just entertainment spaces—they influence behavior and set cultural norms, especially for youth. For decades, smokeless tobacco has had a visible presence in professional sports, particularly baseball. Today, discreet nicotine products such as pouches create new risks.
“Tobacco has no place where children and families gather to celebrate sport and community,” said Dean Aksu, emphasizing the role of health professionals in advancing education and awareness around tobacco use.
At Detroit Mercy Dental, students and clinicians witness the effects of tobacco use every day: oral cancers, gum disease, and other preventable health conditions. As both educators and healthcare providers, the School of Dentistry embraces a responsibility to advocate for healthy environments and empower communities to make informed choices.
A Healthier Detroit Starts Here
On October 21, the Detroit City Council voted 7-2 to ban all smokeless tobacco or alternative nicotine products use at professionals sports stadiums, including Comerica Park, Ford Field, and Little Caesars Arena. With Dean Aksu’s leadership, Detroit Mercy Dental proudly supports this citywide effort. By removing tobacco from public sports venues, we are helping protect Detroit’s families and future generations from the harmful effects of nicotine.
Together, we are knocking tobacco out of the park—and building a healthier Detroit for all.
Read more on the Detroit Free Press.
Dean Aksu takes a moment with alumna Mara Shapiro-Daien, R.D.H. ’77, at the community tobacco awareness event.